Intraocular lenses with quantum dots

Abstract

Intraocular lenses with quantum dots, materials and methods for making optical lenses, and methods of use are disclosed and claimed. Such lenses provide accurate detectable markers that can be used to align, detect, and correct orientation of lenses prior to, during and after use.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An intraocular lens comprising (a) a central lens optic and (b) a mark disposed on the central lens optic, the mark comprising a plurality of nano-sized particles of semi-conductor nanocrystals, defined as quantum dots;
 wherein the intraocular lens is implanted in an area of the eye selected from the group consisting of the anterior chamber, the iris plane, the ciliary sulcus space, the posterior chamber, and the capsular bag; and 
 wherein said mark does not contact the retinal cells of the eye. 
 
     
     
       2. An intraocular lens comprising (a) a central lens optic and (b) a mark disposed on a haptic projecting outwardly from the central lens optic, the mark comprising a plurality of nano-sized particles of semi-conductor nanocrystals, defined as quantum dots. 
     
     
       3. The intraocular lens according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the quantum dots, when stimulated, produce an emission wavelength between 750 nm and 2,000 nm. 
     
     
       4. The intraocular lens according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the quantum dots, when stimulated, produce an emission wavelength between 600 nm and 749 nm. 
     
     
       5. The intraocular lens according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the quantum dots, when stimulated, produce an emission wavelength of between 561 nm and 599 nm. 
     
     
       6. The intraocular lens according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the quantum dots, when stimulated, produce an emission wavelength of between 500 nm and 560 nm. 
     
     
       7. The intraocular lens according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the quantum dots, when stimulated, produce an emission wavelength of between 400 nm and 499 nm. 
     
     
       8. The intraocular lens according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the quantum dots, when stimulated, produce an emission wavelength of between 300 nm and 399 nm. 
     
     
       9. The intraocular lens according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the mark comprises two or more different kinds of quantum dots which have different stimulated emission wavelengths. 
     
     
       10. The intraocular lens according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the mark further comprises one or more color pigments. 
     
     
       11. The intraocular lens according to  claim 10 , wherein the one or more color pigments are selected from the group consisting of copper phthalocyanine, violet dye, green dye, and titanium dioxide. 
     
     
       12. The intraocular lens according to  claim 10 , wherein the mark is disposed on the haptic. 
     
     
       13. The intraocular lens of  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the mark is disposed in a pattern selected from the group consisting of dots, lines, circles, triangles, bars, letters and numbers. 
     
     
       14. The intraocular lens according to  claim 1  or  claim 2 , wherein the quantum dots, when stimulated, produce an emission wavelength of between 300 nm and 2,000 nm.